Affidavit: Softball program director confesses to having sexual relations with teen on team

Maryville resident Kenneth Smith, 45, is being charged with two counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and two counts of solicitation of a minor.

Author:
Elizabeth Sims, Lauren Hoar

Published:
10:13 AM EST December 14, 2018

Updated:
6:35 PM EST December 14, 2018

A former Knox County Schools employee and current director of a high school softball program in Hendersonville, Tennessee, was arrested for statutory rape, according to police.

Henderson Police said the investigation started after a report of a female that had been sexually assaulted on Dec. 11 in Hendersonville.

Detectives found evidence of multiple incidents of sexual advances and contact by the suspect with the victim when she was under the age of 18 in Hendersonville and other jurisdictions, according to HPD.

The suspect, 45-year-old Kenneth “Kenny” Smith, was arrested at his residence in Maryville on Dec. 13, according to investigators.

An affidavit of complaint with Sumner County states Smith, the co-director of the victim's travel softball team "Freedom Fast Pitch", attempted to develop a sexual relationship with the victim who was 17 at the time.

Kenneth Smith, 45, was arrested at his home in Maryville.

WSMV

On March 17, the victim was with Smith in his vehicle at a park when she said he forced his hand down her pants, inside her panties and touched her, according to the report.

On the same day, but at a hotel parking lot, the victim said he rubbed her leg and asked her to have sex with him in his car and behind a dumpster. She said he kissed her on the lips two or three times, according to the affidavit.

Later that evening, the victim said she met him at a gas station where he pulled her pants down and touched her. The affidavit said he reportedly exposed himself to her backside.

Smith confessed to "fingering" the victim at the park and asking the victim to have sex with him at the hotel. He also admitted to kissing her, the report said.

He also reportedly said she gave him oral sex somewhere in Middle Tennessee.

HPD said Smith is being held in the Sumner County Jail and has been charged with two counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and two counts of solicitation of a minor.

Knox County Schools spokesperson Carly Harrington confirmed to 10News Friday afternoon that Smith previously worked for Knox County Schools from 2008 to 2015. He worked in security and was an education assistant before he resigned.

According to Scott Woodcock, president and founder of KC Freedom Fastpitch, Smith was a part of their organization a couple years ago.

"We have been in a trademark lawsuit with him and his affiliate Micah Voiles for over a year now. While they continue to use our logo we created 10 years ago, Kenneth or anyone else connected with the organization they’ve named “Freedom Fastpitch TN” ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH US at KC Freedom," Woodcock wrote in an email to 10News Friday. "We at KC Freedom have proudly worked with hundreds of young ladies in our 10 year history and our concern and overall priority has always been for the athlete. We are saddened by these events and unequivocally denounce the actions reported. Our heart and prayers go out to this young lady and her family during this time."

Smith is scheduled to appear in Sumner County General Sessions Court on Jan. 9, according to HPD.

Pretrial bond has been set at $180,000.

Hendersonville Police are asking anyone with information on Smith, this case or any other possible victims to call and report that information to 615-264-5303 or the Hendersonville Crime Stoppers at 615-573-5400.

Tips may also be submitted anonymously by text to the number 274637 (crimes) using keyword TIPHPD.